BCA Writing Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence most effectively uses a transitional phrase to show contrast?
- She studied hard. She failed the test.
- Despite studying diligently, she failed the test. (Correct answer)
- She studied hard and she failed the test.
- She failed the test, she studied hard.
Correct answer: Despite studying diligently, she failed the test.
The phrase 'Despite studying diligently' signals contrast between effort and outcome, making the relationship clear.
Question 2: A student writes: 'The scientist made a discovery that was very important and very significant.' What is the primary weakness of this sentence?
- It uses passive voice
- It contains redundant words (Correct answer)
- It lacks a subject
- It uses an incorrect verb tense
Correct answer: It contains redundant words
'Important' and 'significant' are synonyms here, making their combined use redundant.
Question 3: Which revision best improves the clarity of: 'The report was written by my partner and I submitted it late.'?
- My partner wrote the report, which I submitted late. (Correct answer)
- The report, written by my partner, and I submitted it late.
- I submitted the report late that my partner wrote.
- My partner wrote the report and submitting it late was me.
Correct answer: My partner wrote the report, which I submitted late.
This revision uses a relative clause to cleanly separate the two actions and clarify who did what.
Question 4: In an argumentative essay, which paragraph structure is most effective?
- Evidence → Claim → Analysis
- Claim → Evidence → Analysis (Correct answer)
- Analysis → Evidence → Claim
- Evidence → Analysis → Claim
Correct answer: Claim → Evidence → Analysis
Leading with a clear claim, followed by evidence and analysis, guides the reader through your argument logically.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly punctuates a nonrestrictive (nonessential) clause?
- My sister who lives in Boston is visiting.
- My sister, who lives in Boston, is visiting. (Correct answer)
- My sister who, lives in Boston is visiting.
- My sister, who lives in Boston is visiting.
Correct answer: My sister, who lives in Boston, is visiting.
Nonrestrictive clauses are set off by commas on both sides because they add extra, not essential, information.
Question 6: Which word choice best replaces 'said' to convey that a speaker delivered information forcefully?
- whispered
- mumbled
- asserted (Correct answer)
- wondered
Correct answer: asserted
'Asserted' specifically suggests a strong, confident, forceful delivery of a statement.
Question 7: A student's essay introduction ends: 'This essay will discuss climate change.' What is the main problem with this thesis?
- It is too specific
- It lacks a debatable claim (Correct answer)
- It uses first person
- It is grammatically incorrect
Correct answer: It lacks a debatable claim
A strong thesis must make an arguable point, not merely announce a topic that will be discussed.
BCA Writing Skills 2
Which sentence most effectively uses a transitional phrase to show contrast?